BattlefieldsViking attack on Dumbarton Rock 870
Early Medieval

Viking attack on Dumbarton Rock 870

870
Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Also known as: Siege of Alt Clut 870 · Norse sack of Strathclyde capital 870
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Strathclyde kingdom (Alt Clut)
Forces
Strathclyde British garrison
VS
Victor
Vikings (Olaf and Ivar of Dublin)
Forces
Norse-Irish fleet of c.200 ships
Outcome
After a four-month siege, Dumbarton Rock fell; the entire population enslaved and taken to Dublin markets; the Strathclyde kingdom temporarily destroyed
The Battle

History & Significance

Olaf the White and Ivar the Boneless — the kings of Dublin — besieged and sacked Dumbarton Rock, the ancient fortress and capital of the Strathclyde British kingdom. The Annals of Ulster record that they returned to Dublin with 200 ships loaded with slaves. It was the most devastating Viking attack on Lowland Scotland and effectively ended the ancient British kingdom of Strathclyde as a major power, though it was later revived under Scottish patronage.

Casualties & Losses

Entire population of Dumbarton enslaved

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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